Steam-generator.



No. 763,655. PATBNTED JUNE 28, 1904.

. T. w. BARBER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1902.

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No. 763,655; PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904. T. W. BARBER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1902. m MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

OOOOGO No. 763,655- PATENTED JUNE 28,1904. T. W. BARBER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1902. no MODEL. s SHEETS-SHEET a.

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UNITED STATES Patented June 28, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

STEAM-GEN ERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,655, dated J une 28, 1904.

Application filed September 2, 1902. Serial No. 121,876. (No model.)

To (LN/7077,0771, it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS WALTER BAR- BER, a subject of the King of England, residing at London,, England, have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Steam- Generators, of which the. following is a specification.

3 This invention relates to steam-generators particularly adapted for use in motor-vehicles, and has for its object to provide a compact generator and furnace, the. furnace being adapted to receive either liquid or solid fuel. In constructing a generator according to this invention two sets of tubes are employed, one of which extends farther into the lower chamber than the other, although both extend below the roof of the chamber. By this means a steam-cushion is formed at the top of the lower chamber, which forces water up through those tubes having their ends nearest the roof ofthe chamber, which may be called the first set. 1 Byineans of the steam-cushion formed in the lower chamber the water is automatically maintained in that chamber-approximately at the level of the lower ends of this first set of tubes, so that alternate bodies of steam-and water travel up these tubes. The steam is then carried ofi? from the upper chamber and the water returns to the lower chamber by the second set of tubes. The tubes of the first set preferably extend above the floor of the upper chamber, while those of the second set may be flush with the floor.

The generator is preferably heated by liquid fuel, although means for feeding the furnace with solid fuel may be provided in addition to or in place of the liquid fuel.

Feed-water and vaporizing tubes (when liquid fuel is employed) are situated within the furnace-chamber in such a position that they are heated by the hot gases of combustion on their way through the furnace to the watertubes of the generator. The generator is provided with yielding connections, by which it may be secured to to any suitable support, such as part of the frame of the vehicle in which it is intended to be employed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is 5 a sectional end elevation of the steam-generator. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation of part of a modified construction of steam-generator.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

. The generator comprises two sets of tubes F F, respectively, carried in upper and lower tube-plates F F. Above the upper. tubeplate-F is a cast bonnet-shaped member F which with the tube-plate F forms a chamber F. Below the tube-plate F and secured thereto is an inverted cast bonnetshaped member F ,which with the tube-plate F forms a chamber F The tubes F are cut off flush with the top of the tube-plate F in the chamber F, but extend to the bottom of the chamber F while the tubes F extend into the chamber F above the tubes F; but when the generator is in its normal position these latter tubes do not extend so far down into the chamber F as the tubes F. When the generator is in position, the tubes become canted, so that the lower ends of those indicated at F fall upon a horizontal line X X.

The ends orsides of the generator are closed in by plates G, which carry brackets G, by which the generator is suspended from its support A which may be part of the frame of a vehicle. Springs G are inserted between the brackets G and the support A so that the whole generator is carried by yielding connections. The brackets are set at an angle to the plane in which the water-tubes lie for the purpose of canting the generator when in position on its support, as described above. The object of this tilting is to bring the center of gravity nearer the support.A so that the springs C may be relieved of side strain and also to so dispose of the enlarged base of the generator that it may not project beyond the upper portion on that side remote from the support A The bonnets F F are each provided. with trunnions F which engage orifices in the plates G and constitute the means by which the generator-body is supported by the plates. The whole of the space between the plates G is covered in by a casing G At the rear of the furnace-chamber and travlevel as the lower ends of the tubes ersing the length of the generator is a tube H, provided with a series of nozzles H, and surrounding this tube is a second tube H having a series of nozzles H, which register with the nozzles H. Liquid fuel is admitted to the interior of the tube H and discharged under pressure from the nozzles H. Air is freely admitted to the interior of the outer tube H and as the liquid fuel escapes from the nozzles H it mingles in its passage through the nozzles H of the tube with air supplied by the outer tube. The mingled fuel and air are directed into the space between the bottom of the bonnet F and the floor of the casing G where it burns in the wellknown manner.

The operation of this generator is as follows: The lower chamber F is heated by the flames from the burner-tube H, the hot gases of combustion being preferably directed afterward among the tubes F F, traversing these in a direction from left to right of the figure, so that the tubes F are maintained at ahigher temperature than the tubes F. The generator is charged with water to a suitable level, (indicated by the line Y Y,) the chamber F being full when not heated; but as steam is generated in this chamber it displaces the Water up the tubes F F, so that a steamcush ion is formed at the top of the chamber,whieh automatically maintains the level of the water in that chamber at approximately the same It will, however, be understood that this level continually fluctuates as the balance between the steam-pressure and head of water displaced varies, so that alternate bodies of steam and water ascend the tubes F to the chamber F. The steam is then drawn off from the chamber F and the water is prevented from returning by the same tubes by water and steam continuing to flow upwardly through them, so that the water returns to the lower chamber by the second set of tubes F. To further insure that water shall not return by the tubes F their upper endsare made to project, as stated above, into the'chamber F above the level of the upper ends of the tubes F. These latter tubes are always maintained full of water by the return flow to the chamber F so that there is no tendency for steam to escape up them, as it is easier for it to traverse the tubes F charged with water and steam, than to traverse or drive water in solid columns up the tubes F. ater only flows up these tubes at the commencement when it is first displaced from the chamber F as the steam forms.

The tubes are arranged in two separate sets on opposite sides of the generator, as shown, so that the temperature of one set may be raised higher than that of the other set; but it will be understood. that, if preferred, the tubes of both sets may be intermixed. The tubes F may be sheathed with protectingtubes to prevent their becoming unduly heated, if desired.

The bonnet-shaped members F F are provided with strengthening-flanges F and the members with the flanges and trunnions referred to above are each cast in one piece,which enables the chambers of the generator to be manufactured much more cheaply than would be possible if they were built up of plates riveted together in the usual manner. Each bonnet-shaped member being separate from its tube-plate also enables the chamber to be readily opened by detaching the member from its plate, so that the ends of the tubes are exposed for inspection or repair. The strengthening-flanges are of considerable service as heat'conductors and may be put either inside or outside the bonnetshaped members, as preferred.

Feed-water tubes J are conveniently disposed on the floor of the casing beneath the bonnet F so that the Water becomes heated as it is fed to the generator, and vaporizing tubes K are conveniently arranged in the path of the flames or hot gases from the burners for vaporizing the liquid fuel in its passage to the tube H. The liquid fuel is injected into the vaporizing-tubes K by means of steam, which, with the vaporized fueL-pas'ses to the tube H and is consumed as it escapes from the burners.

The tubes at the front of the generator are covered by a baflie-plate F open at its lower end to admit the hot gases or flames from the furnace among the tubes F F, and a perforated bafile-plate F is provided at the back of the tubes, so that the hot gases of combustion pass through this plate from among thetubes, and finally make their escape from the generator by an outlet F in the casing G The feed-Water tubes J are preferably set in fire-brick J, or should it be desired to place these tubes elsewhere one or more baflle-plates may be provided on the floor of the casing G to direct the flame from the burners onto the bonnet F The upper chamber F communicates with a steam-drum, (not shown in the drawings,) and Which may be provided with safety-valves of the closed type, the blow-off being connected with the condenser hereinafter described. The steam may be carried off from the chamber F through one of the trunnions, all or any of which may be bored through and used as a means of connection between the interior of the generator and external devices.

To start the liquid-fuel burner a tray containing asbestos or other non-inflammable material saturated with oil by means of a by-pass may be used. This device may also be employed to keep the generator hot when the engine for which it is employed is not in motion or a jet may be kept continuously burning for the same purpose.

In some cases it is convenient to employ solid fuel either in place of or in addition to the liquid fuel. To enable this to be done, a trough L is mounted above the burner-tubes H H as shown in Fig. 3. Apertures L are formed in the trough. Solid fuel broken to v the requisite size is fed along the trough by means of a wormconveyer L and falling through the apertures L is received upon the feed-water tubes J, vwhere it is consumed, together with the liquid fuel, or should the latter not be employed the tubes J. may be arranged as fire-bars, as shown in Fig. 3, and a draft created between them for the proper combustion of the fuel. If the feed-water tubes J are arranged to serve as firebars, any convenient means may be provided to allow access to the bottom of the casingGE for the purpose of removing the ashes resulting from combustion and for the admission of air to the furnace-chamber.

A forced draft may be used to facilitate the combustion of solid fuel and the heat from the waste gases utilized to raise the temperature of the incoming air for either solid or liquid fuel combustion. Whichever form of fuel is employed, the furnace-chamber-that is, the space between the bottom of the honnet F and the floor of the casing Gr?may be suitably lined with refractory material.

Obviously a condenser may be constructed in exactly the same manner as the generator described above, the furnace, feed-water pipes, anl vaporizing-pipes being of course omitte What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. i In a steam-generator, the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a chamber above the upper tube-plate, a chamber beneath the lower tube-plate, a furnace-chamber, a conduit between the aforesaid tube-plates for the hot gases of combustion from the furnace, two sets of tubes connecting the chambers aforesaid and passing through the conduit for the hot gases of combustion, means for creating an upward circulation of alternate bodies of water and steam through one set of tubes and means for creating a continuous downward circulation of water through the other set of tubes as set forth.

2. In a steam-generator, the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a chamber above the upper tube-plate, a chamber beneath the lower tube-plate, a furnace-chamber, aconduit between the aforesaid tube-plates for the hot gases of combustion from the furnace, and two sets of tubes connecting the upper and lower chambers and passing through the conduit for the hot gases, one set of tubes projecting above those of the second set in the upper chamber and those of the second set extending below those of the first set in the lower chamber but bot-l1 extending below the tubeplate in the lower chamber.

3. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper tube-plate forming a chamber above the plate, an inverted cast bonnet-shaped member'beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, those of one set projecting above those of the second set in the upper chamber and those of the second set extending below those of the first set in the lower chamber, but both extending below the tube-plate in the lower chamber, a furnace-chamber and means for heating the generator as set forth.

4. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper'tube-plate forming a chamber above the plate,strengthening-fianges cast on this member, an inverted cast bonnet-shaped member be'neath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, strengthening-flanges on this second member, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, those of one set projecting above those of the second set in the upper chamber and those of the second set extending below those of the first set in the lower chamber, but both extending below the tube-plate in the lower chamber, a furnace-chamber, and means for heating the generator as set forth.

5. In asteam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the. upper tube plate forming a chamber above the tube-plate, an

inverted cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming-with it a chamber beneath this plate, two sets of tubes con necting these chambers, trunnions cast on opposite sides of each bonnet, side plates to inclose the generator, orifices in these plates to receive the trunnions and means for inclosing the space between the side plates, as set forth.

6. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper tube-plate forming a chamber above the tube-plate, an inverted cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, trunnions cast on opposite sides of each bonnet, side plates to inclose the generator, orifices in these plates to receive the trunnions, means for inclosing the space between the side plates, and passageways through the trunnions for communication with the interior of the generator as set forth.

7. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper tube-plate forming a chamber above the plate, an invert-' ed cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, trunnions cast on opposite sides of each bonnet, side plates to inclose the generator, orifices in these plates to receive the trunnions, means for inclosing the space between the side plates and brackets on the side plates for securing the generator in place as set forth.'

sides of each bonnet, side plates to inclose the generator, orifices in these plates to receive the trunnions, means for inclosing the space between the side plates, brackets on the side plates for securing the generator in place and yielding connections between the brackets and the support by which the generator is carried as set forth.

9. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over'the upper tube-plate forming a chamber above the plate, an invert ed cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, side plates to inclose the generator, means for securing the side plates to the upper and lower bonnet-shaped members, means for inclosing the space between the side plates, forwardly-extending brackets on the side plates set at an angle to a central vertical line through the generator so that the lower portion of the generator is allowed to swing forward under the brackets and yielding connections betweenthe brackets and the support by which the'generator is carried as set forth.

t 10. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over. the upper tube-plate the upper and lower bonnets, means for inclosing the space between the side plates, forwardly-extending brackets on the side'plates set at an angle to a central vertical line-through the generator so that the lower portion of the generator is allowed to swing forward under the brackets, yielding connections between the brackets and the support by which the generator is carried and sloped ends to the first set of tubes so that the mouth of each tube lies in a plane parallel with the horizontal line of the generator when the latter is in place upon its support as set forth.

11. In a steam-generator the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper tubeplate forming a chamber above the plate, an invert- ,ed cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, and two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, those of one set projecting above those of the second set in the upper chamber and those of the second set extending below those of the first in the lower chamber, but both extending below the tubeplate in the lower chamber, as set forth.

12. In a steam-generator, the combination of upper and lower tube-plates, a cast bonnetshaped member over the upper tubeplate forming a chamber above the plate, strengthening-flanges cast on this member, an inverted cast bonnet-shaped member beneath the lower tube-plate forming with it a chamber beneath this plate, strengthening-flangeSon this second member, two sets of tubes connecting these chambers, those of one set projecting above those of the second set in the upper chamber and those of the second set extending below those of the first in the lower chamber, but both extending below the tube-plate in the lower chamber, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

T. W. BARBER.

Witnesses DAVID GUILLoD,

WM. HAYWARD. 

